Water cooler cover having adjustable and relocatable openings

ABSTRACT

A cover for a fluid-containing reservoir. The cover comprises a front surface defining a plurality of adjustable openings to access one or more of a control and an outlet of the reservoir, wherein the front surface comprises a plurality of slats, and wherein a position of the slats is adjustable to relocate or resize the plurality of adjustable openings for alignment of the openings with the one or more of the control and the outlet.

This application claims benefit of the 21 Jun. 2011 filing date of U.S.provisional patent application No. 61/499,179, which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to water cooler covers and morespecifically to a water cooler cover having adjustable and customizableopenings in the various surfaces of the water cooler cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water coolers are used in both commercial and residential settings forproviding instant filtered hot or cold water. Water coolers typicallyinclude an upright base and conventional electric refrigeration andheating systems. The water cooler further comprises a reservoir toreceive the mouth of an inverted, three or five gallon water bottle, anda network of outlet pipes and valves that control dispensing of waterfrom the water cooler. The water is heated or cooled, and thus eitherhot or cold water may be dispensed as preferred by a user.

Water coolers are often seen as eyesores due to their large, bulky andunaesthetic appearance. They are not customizable (as to size, shape,color, finish, etc.) and cannot be modified to blend with a particularstyle or motif of the setting in which they are placed (home, office,etc.).

Covers for water cooler bottles are known, but they cover only the waterbottle. A standard water cooler cover includes at least three adjoiningside panels surrounding a space for receiving a water cooler and itsassociated water bottle. At least one of the panels, typically the frontpanel, defines a hole through which the functional controls of the watercooler can be accessed and operated and through which water isdispensed.

However, the prior art water cooler covers are available only in a “onesize fits all” configuration. The present invention addresses thedisadvantages associated with these standard prior art water coolercovers. One disadvantage is that water cooler covers are of a standardshape and size. But water coolers are made in different sizes, withdifferent dimensions and with different locations and configurations forthe controls and dispensing outlet. A standard water cooler cover cannotfit all water coolers and as a result, certain water cooler controls areoften inaccessible when using such a standard cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in the following description in view of thedrawings that show:

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate four different views depicting theadjustable features of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates channel for receiving slats forming portions of afront surface of the water cooler cover of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a first retaining mechanism for retaining theslats of the present invention against vertical movement.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative slat for use with the water coolercover of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water cooler cover.

FIG. 10 illustrates alternative slats for use with the water coolercover of the present invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate second and third retaining mechanism forretaining the slats of the present invention against vertical movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing in detail the particular method and apparatus relatedto a water cooler cover, it should be observed that the presentinvention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination ofelements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure withdetails that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesserdetail, while the drawings and the specification describe in greaterdetail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding theinvention. The described embodiments are not intended to define limitsas to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provideexemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather thanmandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

The inventors have solved the problems of the prior art with a watercooler cover that covers the water cooler and the water bottle (with theexception of the water cooler back and bottom surfaces). A front panelof the water cooler cover defines adjustable/movable openings throughwhich the user can access the cooler controls and the dispensing outlet.The front panel is formed with movable and removable horizontal slats,allowing the openings to be relocated and/or resized by simply movingthe slats up or down and adding/deleting slats. The user can thus adjustthe size and location of the openings to align them with the controlsand the dispensing outlet. In effect, the front panel and the openingsdefined therein are adjustable.

The adjustable water cooler cover further comprises two side panels,i.e., a left and a right side panel, a front panel and a top panel. Theleft and right side panels each attach to an edge of the front panel.The side panels may be attached to the front panel edges with hinges,bolts, an adhesive or other attachment devices. The top panel islikewise secured to top edges of the front and the side panels.

The front panel includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, a leftedge, a front surface and a rear surface. Right and left verticallypositioned channels are affixed to the rear surface of the front panelextending approximately from the top of the front panel to the bottom ofthe front panel.

Vertically moveable horizontal slats are disposed within the right andleft channels and thus span the interval between the left and rightchannels. That is, the left edge (when viewing the front panel of thewater cooler cover from the outside the cooler cover) of each slat isdisposed within the left vertical channel and the right edge of eachslat is disposed within the right vertical channel. The front panel isthereby formed by these slats; several slats are stacked vertically inclose proximity to create a nearly solid surfaces of the front panel.

Openings in the front panel can be moved and resized by simplyrelocating the slats, i.e., moving one or more slats up or down to formand relocate the front panel openings. Also, more or fewer slats can bepositioned between the channels to create any number of openings. Invarious embodiments the slats are between about 1 inch and 3 incheswide.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior front view of a water cooler cover 10having a front panel 12 but without slats, i.e., the front panel isopen. The open region within the front panel 12 is identified by areference numeral 13. In one embodiment the water cooler cover 10comprises a right and left vertical trim piece 14 and 16 along eachvertical edge of the front panel 12 to obscure a joint between the frontpanel 12 and the left and right side panels (the left and right sidepanels are not shown in FIG. 1). The trim piece may not be present incertain embodiments. The water cooler cover 10 further comprises a toppanel 18.

The water cooler cover may further comprise feet 20 at each corner alonga bottom surface of the water cooler cover 10. Casters (not shown) forease in moving the water cooler cover 10 may be used in lieu of the feet20.

FIG. 2 illustrates an interior view of a rear surface of the front panel12. This view illustrates respective left and right U-shaped channels 30and 32 (i.e., viewing the channels from the rear) each for receiving anedge of a slat (slats not shown in FIG. 2). The channels 30 and 32 areattached to the rear surface of the front panel 12 with screws or otherattachment devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front exterior view of the water cooler cover 10covering a water bottle 38. Exemplary 1 inch and 3 inch slats 39 arepositioned to form an upper access opening 40 to allow access to watercooler controls 44 and a lower access opening 46 to allow access to awater dispensing outlet 48. Of course, with a different water coolerconfiguration the location of the controls and dispensing outlet may bedifferent thus necessitating placement of the access openings indifferent locations. Advantageously, according to the present inventionthe openings (e.g., the lower opening 46 and the upper opening 40) inthe front panel 12 can be relocated and/or resized to accommodate anyconfiguration of water cooler controls and outlets by utilizingdifferently-sized slats and moving the slats vertically upwardly ordownwardly to form access openings in different locations.

The openings 40 and 46 can be relocated and/or resized by simplyrepositioning the 1 inch and/or 3 inch slats (and associated slatlocking mechanisms described below) and/or by using differently sizedslats. Also top and bottom edges of the slats can be straight, beveled,rounded or curved.

The slats can be formed of various materials, including wood, plastic,metal, glass, rubber or another similar material.

In FIG. 3 the end regions of the slats 39 are shown in phantom asextending into the channels 30 and 32, which are also shown in phantom.Locking mechanisms 60 that prevent downwardly vertical movement of theslats due to gravitational forces, are also shown in phantom as they arenot visible from the exterior of the water cooler cover. The lockingmechanisms 60 are described in detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 6and 7.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a stationary stop element 64 disposed below thebottom-most slat 39. The stop element 64 is typically affixed to aninside surface of the front panel 12 and thus shown in phantom in thisexterior view. The stop element 64 retains the lower-most slat 39 andall slats 39 above the lower-most slat 39 against vertical downwardmovement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a different slat configuration than the embodiment ofFIG. 3, thereby forming openings in different locations, i.e., an upperopening 70 and a lower opening 76. To simplify FIG. 4, the phantomelements are not depicted in FIG. 4.

In both the FIGS. 3 and 4 configurations a top-loading water bottle (forexample the water bottle 38) is placed above the water cooler controls44, which are accessible through the top opening 40/70. The dispensingoutlet 48 is accessible through the larger bottom opening 46/76. Withthe openings properly located, the water bottle 38 is not visiblethrough either of the openings. However, a user can arrange the openingsto check a water level in the water bottle 38 if desired.

To place each slat 39 in contact with a rear surface of the front panel12 (and thus prevent one from seeing into the interior of the watercooler cover 10) the channels 30 and 32 are substantially U-shaped withone leg of each channel received in a respective groove 80 defined in arear surface 12A of the front panel 12. See a close-up view of FIG. 5,which illustrates only the channel 32 on the left side of the frontpanel 12, with a corresponding parallel channel and groove on the rightside of the front panel 12. When the slats 39 are placed within thechannels 30 and 32, a front surface of the slat 39 is in contact withthe rear surface 12A to prevent one from seeing into the interior of thewater cooler cover 10. The depth of each groove 80 depends on thethickness of a channel leg. In one embodiment the grooves are about ⅛inch deep to accommodate a channel leg about ⅛ thick.

Generally, a slat forming a top border of an opening is secured at theright and left channels to prevent slats above the top-most slat fromfalling vertically. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate exemplary lockingmechanisms for each of the right and left channels 30 and 32. Thelocking mechanism 40 (shown generally in FIG. 3) is removably secured toeach of the right and left channels 30 and 32, with an element of thelocking mechanism disposed within an open region between rear channellegs 30A/30B and front channel legs 32A/32B. The locking mechanism 44,which comprises a clamp, lock, binder clip, window lock, thumb screw orother clamping yet removable element, prevents the top-most slat 39 (andall above slats) from falling downwardly within the channel 30/32.

In the FIG. 6 embodiment, a thumbscrew 88 of the locking mechanism 44passes through a rear leg 90 and is tightened against the rear-facingleg 30B/32B of the channel 30/32. The arrangement holds the lockingmechanism in place at the desired vertical location along the channel30/32.

FIG. 7 illustrates a different embodiment of the locking mechanism. Asin the FIG. 6 embodiment, the locking mechanism is substantiallyU-shaped and further comprises center members 92 movable in a directionrepresented by an arrowhead 95. The center members 92 and thethumbscrews 88 are urged against the rear-facing legs 30B/32B of thechannel 30/32 and as each of the thumbscrews 88 is tightened, therespective center member 92 moves in a forward or frontward directionwithin a horizontal groove (not shown) defined in the locking mechanism.Thus tightening the thumbscrews 88 urges the locking mechanism,specifically the center members 92, against the rear channel legs30B/32B, holding slats above the locking mechanism against verticalmovement. The center members 92 preferably each comprise a deformablematerial, such as rubber, that expands against the rear-facing leg30B/32B of the channel 30/32 as the thumbscrews 88 are tightened.

The number of slats 39 within the front panel 12 can be increased ordecreased to form one, two, or three (or more) openings or access holes,as needed for a specific water cooler. The location and size of theopenings can be adjusted to fit any water cooler configuration. Also, ifno openings are required in the front panel, the user can completelyfill the front panel 12 with slats 39.

The absence of a bottom panel and a back panel for the water coolercover 10 allows the user to slide the cover 10 away from the watercooler for service, bottle exchange and to view the water level in thewater bottle.

Bottom-loading water cooler design with the bottle resting on the floorand the water pumped to a higher reservoir within the water cooler arealso known. The present invention can accommodate this water coolerdesign using a slat arrangement including additional slats at the bottomto hide the water cooler and openings formed as desired to access thecontrols and dispensing outlet.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative slat 100 defining an oval-shapedopening 102. Use of slat 100 with the opening 102 may obviate therequirement for forming an opening(s) between the slats 39 of the otherembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water cooler cover 10 with the waterbottle within the water cooler cover and not shown. The controls (notshown) are accessible through the top opening 40 and the dispensingoutlet (not shown) through the bottom opening 46. A user can check thewater level by viewing the water bottle through the open rear area. Aleft side panel 110 is also illustrated in FIG. 9.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, two slats 130and 132 each comprise respective upper 130A and lower 132A regions of anoval opening, such that when the slats 130 and 132 are placed incontact, a single oval opening is formed. The slats 130 and 132 can alsobe used as a top and/or bottom border for a larger opening such as theopenings described elsewhere herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a channel 150 defining a plurality of aligned holes154 in both channel legs 150A and 150B. A pin 158 is positioned throughselected ones of the holes 154 at a selected height to preventdownwardly vertical movement of a slat 160. The pin 158 is illustratedas having two legs 158A and 158B although one leg can suffice.

FIG. 12 illustrates a channel 160 comprising a ferrous material andmagnets 162 positioned at a selected height on inside surfaces of thechannel 160 to prevent downwardly vertical movement of a slat 164.

In the various embodiments of the invention, the slat height can rangefrom about ½ inch to 5 inches. In one embodiment, the slats measureapproximately 11 inches long, i.e., approximately equal to a distancebetween the vertical channels 30 and 32. The configuration of the slats39 on the front panel can be adjusted to form an opening having alocation that can be changed by raising and/or lowering one or moreslats within the vertical channels 30 and 32. The location of the slats39 (and thus the location of the opening) is determined by the user asdesired.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to awater cooler, the teachings of the invention are also applicable toother reservoirs containing a liquid or a gas. These reservoirs may holda fluid that is maintained at a temperature above or below ambient or atambient temperature. These other reservoirs may have controls andoutlets for discharging the fluid at different locations. According tothe present invention openings in the reservoir cover may be configuredas required to access the controls and outlets.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are providedby way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutionsmay be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, itis intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

1. A cover for a fluid-containing reservoir, comprising: a front surfacedefining a plurality of adjustable openings to access one or more of acontrol and an outlet of the reservoir; wherein the front surfacecomprises a plurality of slats, and wherein a position of the slats isadjustable to relocate or resize the plurality of adjustable openingsfor aligning the openings with the one or more of the control and theoutlet.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the front panel includes leftand right channels affixed to a rear surface of the front panel, andwherein the slats are positioned within the right and left channels. 3.The cover of claim 2 wherein the right and left channels are verticallyoriented such that the slats are horizontally oriented and stackedwithin the right and left channels, and wherein a left edge of each slatis positioned within the left channel and a right edge of each slat ispositioned within the right channel such that the slats extend betweenthe left and the right channels.
 4. The cover of claim 2 wherein theslats are configured to be vertically repositioned within the right andleft channels, such that the adjustable openings are relocated foralignment with the one or more of the control and the outlet.
 5. Thecover of claim 2 wherein the slats are configured to be removed or addedwithin the right and left channels, such that the adjustable openingsare relocated for alignment with the one or more of the control and theoutlet.
 6. The cover of claim 2 wherein the channels are U-shaped, andwherein one leg of the U-shaped channel is positioned within a grooveformed in the rear surface of the front panel, and wherein a depth ofthe groove is responsive to a thickness of the leg of the U-shapedchannel.
 7. The cover of claim 2 wherein the channels are U-shaped,wherein a plurality of holes are formed in opposing surfaces of eachU-shaped channel, and wherein a pin is positioned through the holes at aselected height to prevent downwardly vertical movement of the slats dueto gravitational force.
 8. The cover of claim 2 wherein the channels areU-shaped, and wherein the channels and slats are made from a steelmaterial, and wherein magnets are positioned at a selected height on theU-shaped channels to prevent downwardly vertical movement of the slatsdue to gravitational force.
 9. The cover of claim 1 wherein thereservoir comprises a water cooler.
 10. The cover of claim 1 wherein oneor more of the plurality of slats defines an opening therein, andwherein alignment of the opening with one or more of the control and theoutlet permits access thereto through the opening.
 11. A cover for afluid-containing reservoir, comprising: a housing for the reservoircomprising a top panel, a right side panel, a left side panel and afront panel, the front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a rightedge, a left edge, and a middle region, wherein the right panel isattached to said right edge and the left panel is attached to the leftedge; and right and left vertical channels disposed in spaced-apartrelation on a rear surface of the front panel, and right and left edgesof each one of one or more horizontally-disposed slats received withinthe respective right and left vertical channels, such that when one slatis disposed in abutting or proximate relationship to another slat, anobscured region behind abutting or proximate slats is not visible,wherein the one or more slats can be selectively positioned within theright and left vertical channels to modify one or both of a height or alocation of the obscured region.
 12. The cover of claim 11 furtherincluding a retaining mechanism positioned within the right and leftvertical channels to prevent downwardly vertical movement of thehorizontally-disposed slats due to gravitational force.
 13. The cover ofclaim 12 wherein the right and left vertical channels each comprise aU-shaped channel and respectively include a front leg in contact withrear surface of the front panel and a rear leg opposite to the frontleg, and wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a center memberdisposed between the front and rear legs of each of the right and leftvertical channels, the center member urged against one or both of therear and front legs of the right and left vertical channels to preventdownwardly vertical movement of the horizontally-disposed slats due togravitational force.
 14. The cover of claim 11 wherein a material of theslats comprises one of a wood, plastic, metal, glass or rubber material.15. The cover of claim 11 further comprising a stationary stop elementpositioned below a bottom-most slat of the one or morehorizontally-disposed slats and positioned within the vertical channels.16. The cover of claim 11 wherein the horizontally-disposed slats arepositioned within the vertical channels to form a plurality of openingsin the front panel to permit access to one or more of a reservoircontrol and a reservoir outlet.
 17. The cover of claim 11 wherein thehorizontally-disposed slats are positioned within the vertical channelsto form an opening in the front panel to determine a fluid level withinthe reservoir.
 18. The cover of claim 16 wherein thehorizontally-disposed slats are positioned within the vertical channelsto form a top and bottom of an oval-shaped opening in the front panel,access to one or more of the reservoir control and the reservoir outletis gained through the oval-shaped opening.
 19. The cover of claim 11wherein the reservoir comprises a water cooler.
 20. A cover for areservoir, comprising: a right side panel; a left side panel; a frontpanel joined to the right side panel and the left side panel at arespective right edge and left edge, the front panel including; aplurality of slats positioned within a pair of spaced-apart channels,the channels affixed to a rear surface of the front panel; wherein aposition of the slats within the channels is adjustable to selectivelyvary at least one of a size and a location of an opening in the frontpanel such that the opening is aligned with at least one of a reservoircontrol and a reservoir fluid outlet.